India/Pakistan: Indian and Pakistani troops exchange fire in Kashmir March 18 /update 1

Event

Clashes between Indian and Pakistani troops broke out at the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, March 18. According to local sources, an Indian family of five was killed when a shell hit their home in the village of Devta Dhar, and as many as eight others have been injured. Both countries have blamed the other for starting the firing.

Tensions in the region remain high and additional cross-border fire between Indian and Pakistani forces is possible in the coming days and weeks.

Context

Tensions have been particularly high in the region following a militant attack on an Indian army camp in February, in which six soldiers died. India has accused Pakistan of arming and training militants responsible for the attack. Sporadic cross-border shelling and border skirmishes have been reported throughout February and March.

A ceasefire has been in place in Kashmir since 2003. However, over 800 incidents of ceasefire violations were reported in Kashmir in 2017 alone, resulting in the deaths of soldiers and civilians on both sides of the border. New Delhi and Islamabad both regularly accuse each other of initiating cross-border clashes.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor developments to the situation and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities. As a reminder, some Western governments advise their citizens against travel to parts of Jammu and Kashmir, notably areas along the LoC, due to the significant risk of violence.